Colombian Military Gains Powers In War Against Rebels

U.S. & Latin America

August 17, 2001|By T. Christian Miller, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

ARAUCA, Colombia -- President Andres Pastrana has signed a sweeping new security law that human-rights groups fear will open the door to torture, arbitrary detention and increased military control in Colombia.

The measure, passed under intense pressure from hard-line elements within the nation's Congress, gives the military broad powers to combat leftist insurgents. It was signed Monday, although Pastrana's office announced the action Thursday.

The law comes on top of other recent developments, including the resignations under pressure of several top prosecutors, that have prompted concern about an erosion in Colombia's commitment to human rights.

"This is a step backward, not forward," said Robin Kirk, who tracks Colombia for the New York-based Human Rights Watch. "It feeds into a pattern of less and less focus on human rights and more and more on the old and failed model of military solutions."

Under the law, Pastrana can give supreme authority to the military in areas deemed to be conflict zones, superseding the powers of governors and mayors. It weakens the ability of civilian prosecutors to investigate human-rights abuses committed by the military and imposes a two-month deadline on completing such probes.

But the most worrisome aspect for human-rights groups is the military's newfound ability to detain and question suspects for an undetermined amount of time under the law, which was passed by lawmakers in June.

"What we've seen in other countries is that prolonging detention leads to torture," Kirk said.

The law also reflects growing frustration with the peace process. More than two years of negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the largest rebel group, have produced few results.

Top Colombian military officials long have argued that they need a stronger hand to deal with the country's violent internal conflict, saying that civilian restrictions hamper military operations.

For instance, the judiciary is corrupt and inefficient, which contributes to a paltry conviction record in murder cases. Military officials have argued they need quicker judicial results to prosecute those responsible for terrorist acts.